What is 3D printing?

3D printing also known as Additive Manufacturing or Rapid Prototyping has an array of different techniques such as SLA, SLS and FDM. Today we’ll be discussing the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) method because it is the most common and easiest to work with. To illustrate how this works, imagine a hot glue gun, as the glue stick is fed in through the back it is melted by the hot metal nozzle as it is being extruded. Although this is an oversimplification of the process, in essence, this is how a FDM 3D printer works. As each layer is extruded on a build plate, the next is placed on top with the heat of the nozzle (usually around 200-230 degrees Celsius) bonding each layer together. This nozzle is moved by motors and belts coordinated by a Gcode which orchestrates all the movements of the 3D printer to build up a desired object.  

What are the applications for 3D printing?

There numerous applications for 3D printing, from prototyping, short production runs, patient specific devices and more, additive manufacturing can wear a multitude of hats. ActivArmor, for example, is using 3D printing to personalize casts for patients. They first employ a 3D scan of the patient’s limb and then use that to design a cast that fits the patient perfectly. Gillette, a razor company, is using 3D printing to personalize their handles to consumer tastes and unlock untested designs with the aid of this new manufacturing technique.

Applications of 3D printing at New Cathedral Industries

Here at New Cathedral Industries, we mainly use 3D printing for prototypes and short production runs. We help companies design their product and print prototypes for test fitting, functionality and aesthetics of a new product. Additionally, once we find a design that our client likes, we can execute short production runs for proof of concept presentations or measure the viability of the product in the market before moving towards mass manufacturing.